Missile projector



y 2, 1963 PAUL c. KIYUNA 3,

MISSILE PROJECTOR INVEN TOR. Pad 6. [Egg/am BY ATTORNEYS Hawaii FiledJuly 5, 1966, Ser. No. 40,747 3 Claims. (Cl. 1245) This inventionrelates to a novel missile projector, and more specifically to a missileprojector generally in the form of a whip by which a missile can beprojected great distances.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel missile projector whichemploys centrifugal force to project a missile.

A further object is to provide a novel amusement device or weapon toproject missiles of various forms and sizes.

A further object is to provide a novel form of missile which can bereadily attached to, and which can be effectively projected from, aprojector of the type utilizing centrifugal force.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a missileprojector according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows one form :of missile in the nature of a bola;

FIG. 3 shows a second form of missile in the shape of a disc;

FIG. 4 shows a third form of missile in the shape of a ball;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the gripper end of a second embodimentof the missile projector;

FIG. 6 is a modification of the connecting portion of the missile ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a modification of the connecting portion of the missile ofFIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is a modification of the connecting portion of the missile ofFIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 1% designates one embodiment of amissile projector comprising a freely flexible lash 12, a whipstock 14,and a frictional gripper 16 in the form of a cylindrical member having asocket 18 adapted to frictionally engage a projection on a missile aswill appear hereinafter.

The lash 12 may be made of any convenient length.

In operation, a missile may be frictionally attached to the gripper. Bygrasping the whipstock 114 firmly in one or both hands, the projector isswept through the air in the same manner as a whip. Toward the end ofthe sweep, the projector is sharply decelerated either by abruptlyhalting the forward movement of the handle 14, or by abruptly reversingsuch movement, in the same manner as employed in cracking a whip. As theprojector is swept forward, the handle is first rapidly accelerated, andas the slack is taken up in the lash 12, the gripper 16 partakes of thisacceleration, being swung outwardly by centrifugal force in a relativelywide circle. The gripper soon attains its maximum velocity, the lashassuming the form of a large are which has its concave side facing therear. As the handle 14 is abruptly decelerated, as indicated above,there follows a gradual de celcration of increments of the lash from thehandle toward the gripper. The gripper 16 continues at the same speedbut the arc changes its form to a reverse curve or 8 :form shown in FIG.1, assuming that the lash and gripper are moving downwardly of thesheet. The gripper 16 swings in a circle having its center in the3,695,867 Patented July 2, 1963 loop A, which loop moves closer andcloser toward the gripper. The radius of this circle rapidly decreases,until the forward speed of the gripper is suddenly stopped when the lashbecomes taut. As the radius decreases, the peripheral speed and angularvelocity increase acconding to the formula in which F is thecentrifiuigal force, In is the mass, v is the velocity, and r is theradius. It is generally recognized that the tip end of a whip attains avery high velocity, and there is a theory that the crac of a whip isactually a miniature transonic boom caused by the tip of the whippassing through sonic speed. It is proposed to attach the missile to thegripper with sufiicient frictional resistance to permit the missile tobe released when the whip is cracked, that is, when it attains itsmaximum angular velocity, to project the missile with considerablespeed.

The missile may take various forms having means to frictionally engagethe gripper 16. It may be solid or hollow, and made of metal, wood,plastic, or any suitable material.

FIG. 2 illustrates a missile in the form of a bola 20 comprising a pairof balls 22 on opposite ends of a line 24. A projection 26 is connectedintermediate the ends of the line 24, in the shape of a cylinder adaptedto frictionally fit within the socket 18 of the gripper 16.

FIG. 3 shows a missile in the form of a disc 28 having a projection 32formed by a pair of spaced slots 30 in the periphery of the disc. Theslots 30 may be made with a hollow cylindrical cutting tool, or bymolding or the like, whereby the side wall of the projection 32 is atleast partially a surface of revolution.

FIG. 4 shows a ball-shaped missile 34 having a projection 38 formed by aradially extending annular recess 36. The recess 36 and projection 38may be made by molding, or by cutting with an annular cutting tool toprovide a cylindrical projection.

Instead of providing a socket 18 in the end of gripper 16, as shown inFIG. 1, it is evident that the gripper may be a solid cylindrical memberadapted to frictionally engage a socket in a missile.

FIG. 5 illustrates a modified form of projector in which a lash 12'carries, on the tip thereof, a gripper 16 in the form of a cylinder,adapted to frictionally tit within a socket in a missile.

FIG. 6 shows a modified missile 28 of disc form having a radiallyextending slot or socket 49. The wall of the socket is cylindrical inform to receive the gripper 16'.

FIG. 7 shows a ball-shaped missile 34 having a cylindrical, radiallyextending, socket 42 adapted to frictionally receive the gripper 16'.

FIG. 8 shows a modified construction of the projection of the missile ofFIG. 2, comprising a hollow cylindrical member 26', attached to a line24', the member 26' having a socket 44 to frictionally receive thegripper 16'.

It is readily apparent that other alterations and modifications can beresorted to without departing from the scope of this invention, and suchalterations and modifications are contemplated within the scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination: a missile projector comprising a whip-like memberincluding a freely flexible lash, a whipstock on one end of the lashforming a continuation thereof and a cylindrical gripper on the otherend; and a missile having a cylindrical projection, one of saidcylindrical members being hollow and telescopically and frictionallyengaging the other cylindrical member,

said cylindrical members being the sole means holding said missile onsaid projector.

2. In combination: a missile projector comprising a Whip-like memberincluding a freely flexible lash, and a Whipstock on one end of the lashforming a continuation thereof; a frictional gripping means on the otherend of said lash; a missile in the form of a substantially flat disc, atleast one generally radial notch in the edge of said disc; said grippingmeans frictionally but releasa'bly engaging in said notch.

3. The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said disc is provided withtwo parallel notches defining a projection therebetween; said frictionalgripping means com-' prising an open'ended hollow cylindertelescopically and irictionally embracing said projection.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSSchlneter Apr. 4, 1916 Sokol Oct. 21, 1919 Murray June 20, 1933Stacy-Judd Aug. 8, 1939 Gaede Apr. 14, 1953 Stewart July 2, 1957 VeigneSept. 20, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS I Germany Jan. 28, 1924

1. IN COMBINATION: A MISSILE PROJECTOR COMPRISING A WHIP-LIKE MEMBERINCLUDING A FREELY FLEXIBLE LASH, A WHIPSTOCK ON ONE END OF THE LASHFORMING A CONTINUATION THEREOF AND A CYLINDRICAL GRIPPER ON THE OTHEREND; AND A MISSILE HAVING A CYLINDRICAL PROJECTION, ONE OF SAIDCYLINDRICAL MEMBERS BEING HOLLOW AND TELESCOPICALLY AND FRICTIONALLYENGAGING THE OTHER CYLINDRICAL MEMBER, SAID CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS BEINGTHE SOLE MEANS HOLDING SAID MISSILE ON SAID PROJECTOR.